HELP!!

avacado2011

I guest I need weddings for dummies but I NEED help! I am planning on a DIY wedding at Raven Lodge in Huntsville. I haven't been to a wedding myself in a long time so I am unsure on a few things:

1)How is the wedding cermony suppose to go? This is how I imagine it but am unsure if this is the way it typically goes. I figured that we would have ushers to usher guest to their seats. Once it turns 3:00pm (when the wedding is suppose to begin) I figure the groom is suppose to walk in followed by the maid of honor and best man, then the bridesmaid/ groosman, then my junior brides maid, then were having two little boys escort my daughter who is 1 down the aisle via a wagon. . However, what signals the start of the wedding cermony. Music? This may seem dumb but i'm serious. I figure then everyone will be asked to rise, I will come in (is this when the music is suppose to start or is it playing from the beginning? Then the officiant will conduct the cermony, we will exchange vows and then walk back down the aisle. We were then planning on taking photos and then the guests will have the cocktail hour. So, does the officiant tell the guests where to go by saying something like (Now that the wedding is complete, the bride and groom would like you to travel next door from sweet and delicious treats) they go to cocktail hour and then into the reception area and then we are introduced as "Mr and Mrs" What am I missing? Is what I am saying right??

2) Our Venue will not be available to have a rehearsal. Where do people typically have the rehersal? Someone said the day of but that seems never racking!

3) We do not know anyone that can marry us, as it will be on a Sunday and our preacher will be at church ;-). So, we are going to have a judge marry us. Are they typically park of the rehersal? Do you meet with them to go over what they are going to say? How does this work?

4) Thanks, i'm obviously a dummy!! 

vpine

The rehearsal is usually done 1-2 weeks before wedding date or if time crunch, the night before. It's usually done at the venue but can also be done at someone's backyard or house.

An officiant can marry you, they have some that are non-demoniational, Ted Moss was our officiant in Sept, the ceremony readings are listed on their website so you can read them, a judge will not talk about God or say a prayer so if you are looking for that, I would strongly suggest The Wedding Pastor (http://www.weddingpastor.com/). Their pricing information is also listed, you just need to have your marriage license for your wedding date.

Here is the link for ceremony order of service: http://www.pibweddings.com/orderofservice.html

PJS001

1) Your flow of the ceremony seems about right. I would agree with you that music sets the stage for when everything starts. You should have a song playing when the mothers and grandmothers walk down the aisle. Then typically another song for the march of the wedding party, and then finally the song that you will walk down the aisle to. Once the ceremony is done the officiant SHOULD tell people where to go. Just mention that you need them to do this and it should be no problem.

2) I am from Huntsville so I am familiar with the lodge. If they won't let you use it for the rehearsal I have two suggestions for you. First, you can just do the rehearsal on the outdoor patio. The inner lodge will be locked, but the patio isn't restricted. Or you could simply do the rehearsal next to the lodge. The attendees will have to pay to get into the park, but at least you will be able to rehearse. Also another note on the rehearsal, I got married on a Sunday as well, but we did the rehearsal the Friday before. I am sooo thankful we did because it gave us an extra day to get everything together.

3) Yes, the officiant is a very important part of the rehearsal as they are the person that generally dictates the flow of the event. Once you find who you are going to use, they should contact you and discuss with you how the ceremony will be. Also, don't feel that you have to use a judge because you are getting married on a Sunday. There are plenty of religious officiants available on Sunday, you just have to look around. 

If you have any questions about Huntsville feel free to ask. I will try to help as much as possible. :0)

Eboix518

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_help-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:121Discussion:4fa691bf-cb6a-4eb5-97ba-e2963fa03dafPost:796b9414-bfc4-44b1-bf5e-deb2f5f20e97">Re: HELP!!</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>The rehearsal is usually done 1-2 weeks before wedding date or if time crunch, the night before.</strong> It's usually done at the venue but can also be done at someone's backyard or house. An officiant can marry you, they have some that are non-demoniational, Ted Moss was our officiant in Sept, the ceremony readings are listed on their website so you can read them, a judge will not talk about God or say a prayer so if you are looking for that, I would strongly suggest The Wedding Pastor ( <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.weddingpastor.com/)">http://www.weddingpastor.com/)</a> . Their pricing information is also listed, you just need to have your marriage license for your wedding date. Here is the link for ceremony order of service: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pibweddings.com/orderofservice.html">http://www.pibweddings.com/orderofservice.html</a>
Posted by vpine[/QUOTE]

I have never heard that....it is usually done the night before with a dinner following and it is customary that the grooms parents host it, clearly there are not rules you have to follow but if you have people in the bridal party that live OOT a rehearsal 2 weeks prior would be difficult. Like PP mentioned since you have a Sunday wedding a Friday rehearsal would be a great idea too

Definitely check out the wedding pastor link, there are more outlets out there too I just do not know the names of them. Not sure if your venue has someone there that helps you the day of but they should know how the ceremony should run, if not a DOC would be helpful so they can make sure you stick to a timeline during the day. Good luck and it will come together great!